Ecology and conservation of strangler figs in urban wall habitats

Jim, Chi Yung

doi:10.1007/s11252-013-0322-3

Cited by 28 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…They showed that isolated stone and masonry walls show a slower development of vegetation cover than those forming a part of networks [27,32], affecting the wall-plant assemblage. The low fauna biodiversity of walls is positively and significantly influenced by landscape factors, but only for species with low dispersal capabilities (beetles), especially those that are frugivorous [46].…”

Section: In the Connectivity Of Green Walls And Roofs To The Ground-lmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Roofs and Green Walls for Biodiversity Conservation: A Contribution to Urban Connectivity?

2018

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Green roofs and walls have recently emerged as conservation tools, and they offer promising additional opportunities to enhance biodiversity in cities. However, their ecological conditions remain poorly considered when planning wildlife corridors. To discuss the role of vegetated buildings in landscape connectivity, we reviewed the ecological and technical specificities of green walls and green roofs in light of the key factors concerning urban wildlife (patch size, quality, abundance, and isolation). Green roofs and walls show limited patch sizes, distinct habitat quality at the building scale, and limited redundancy of patch quality within the landscape. We also highlight that the abundance of roof and wall patches is often low. Future research is needed to establish if walls can be vertical corridors for wildlife, thereby reducing the isolation of green roofs. We argue that creating 3D ecological connectivity within the city requires substantial modifications of the design and maintenance of existing green building systems. We suggest that research is needed to integrate the biotic and abiotic characteristics of green buildings to make them more closely resemble those of open green spaces.

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Section: In the Connectivity Of Green Walls And Roofs To The Ground-lmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green Roofs and Green Walls for Biodiversity Conservation: A Contribution to Urban Connectivity?

2018

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“…Vertical wall surfaces in built-up areas present a rocky-cliff analog niche for trees to colonize (Jim, 2014). The stone-retaining walls in Hong Kong, holding soil with moisture supply behind the masonry façade, offer favorable structural-cum-ecological conditions for tree growth (Jim, 1998(Jim, , 2010.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Protest response and willingness to pay for culturally significant urban trees: Implications for Contingent Valuation Method

Jim

2015

Ecological Economics

102

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The Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) could assist green-space planning, management and appreciation by assigning a monetary value to urban trees. However, the use of CVM is limited by its inherent methodological weaknesses. A critical concern is the existence of a large proportion of survey respondents providing zero willingness-to-pay (WTP) and that these responses are not amenable to economic theory-known as 'protest' responses. Censoring protest responses from further treatment is a common practice, which warrants reconsideration in light of our CVM survey results. The survey involved 800 residents requested to state their WTP for preserving the culturally significant stonewall trees in urban Hong Kong. About 28% of respondents returned a zero WTP. For all respondents the strength of protest beliefs was assessed, and the relationship between protest beliefs and WTP were examined. Our analysis produced contradictory results: some protest items varied negatively with WTP as expected, but other items increased with it. Respondents' stated positive WTP harbored latent protest beliefs which are related to non-economic preference. The findings stand at odds with the assumptions underlying the censoring treatment and raise questions about the validity of WTP estimates. These methodological implications should be taken into account in using CVM.

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“…This contrasts with obligate hemiepiphytes that firmly attach through numerous roots to their phorophytes (López-Acosta and Dirzo 2015). Aerial roots of C. pachystachya do not depart from branches or along trunk extension as occurs in true hemiepiphytes (Harrison 2006;Hao et al 2011;Jim 2014). Therefore, the presence of aerial roots in C. pachystachya normally adapted to Frequency of Cecropia pachystachya seeds trapped in four microhabitats: high on Attalea phalerata palm stems (high stem), low on palm stems (low stem), on the ground below palm canopies (below canopy) and on the ground out of palm canopy projections (outside canopy), in the ''Pantanal'' wetland, Brazil.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bizarre Cecropia pachystachya (Urticaceae) hemiepiphytic growth on palms in the “Pantanal” wetland

Corrêa

Fischer

2016

Braz. J. Bot

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In this study, we describe for the first time facultative hemiepiphytism in Cecropia pachystachya Trécul growing on palms in the ''Pantanal'' wetland of Brazil and investigate ecological factors associated with this unexpected phenomenon. We sampled C. pachystachya seeds lodged in palm stems and recorded the seed rain to low stems, high stems and to the ground below and away from palms. We also tested seed germination on soil and stem substrates and measured the chemical composition of both substrates. Compared to freestanding conspecifics, hemiepiphytes of C. pachystachya were rare and displayed wider trunks but similar height. All hemiepiphytes were fixed on low stems by aerial roots encircling the palms and coalesced branches rooted into the ground. Most palm stems contained C. pachystachya seeds but a few concentrated seeds massively. Dispersal of seeds was 15 times greater to lower than higher portions of stems, and seven times higher below palms than elsewhere. Germination rates of C. pachystachya seeds did not differ between soil and stem substrates. The clayey stem substrate presented more Zn, K, P, Ca, Mg and Al than the sandy soil, which in turn presented more Fe and Cu. The exceptional occurrence of C. pachystachya as a facultative hemiepiphyte in the ''Pantanal'' wetland results from massive seed rain to lower regions of palm stems, where germination, mechanical stability and access to nutrients are conducive to establishment and subsequent growth. However, the rarity of hemiepiphytism in C. pachystachya indicates that opportunities for successful establishment rely on a combination of uncertain spatiotemporal conditions.

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Ecology and conservation of strangler figs in urban wall habitats

Cited by 28 publications

References 34 publications

Green Roofs and Green Walls for Biodiversity Conservation: A Contribution to Urban Connectivity?

Green Roofs and Green Walls for Biodiversity Conservation: A Contribution to Urban Connectivity?

Protest response and willingness to pay for culturally significant urban trees: Implications for Contingent Valuation Method

Bizarre Cecropia pachystachya (Urticaceae) hemiepiphytic growth on palms in the “Pantanal” wetland

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